A HURRICANE warning has been issued in Barbuda and Anguilla and islands across the Caribbean as Hurricane Jose barrels through the Atlantic, according to the latest update from the NOAA National Hurricane Center (NHC).

At 5pm EDT (10pm GMT), the eye of Hurricane Jose was located near latitude 16.6 North, longitude 58.3 West. Jose is moving toward the west-northwest near 17 mph (28 km/h).

The NHC said: “A turn toward the northwest with a decrease in forward speed is forecast tonight through the weekend. On the forecast track, the core of Jose will pass close or just east of the northern Leeward Islands.”

NHC update: The latest location

Hurricane Jose was last located about 335 miles east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands.

Hurricane Jose latest maps, updated daily

Maximum sustained winds are near 150 mph (240 km/h) with higher gusts. Jose is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson

Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuation in intensity, up or down, could occur during the next day or so. Gradual weakening is expected after that.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km).

NHC update: The threat to the Caribbean

The government of Antigua has issued a Hurricane Warning for Barbuda and Anguilla.

The government of France has issued a Hurricane Warning for St. Martin and Barthelemy.

The government of Sint Maarten has issued a Hurricane Warning for Sint Maarten.

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Hurricane Jose is churning towards the Caribbean

NHC update: The latest warnings

WIND: Hurricane conditions are likely within the hurricane warning area on Saturday. Hurricane conditions are also possible within the hurricane watch area on Saturday. Tropical storm conditions are expected within the tropical storm warning areas by Saturday

morning. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the tropical storm watch area in the northeastern Leeward Islands by Saturday

morning and in the watch area in the Virgin Islands by Saturday night.

RAINFALL: Jose is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 3 to 5 inches in the Leeward Islands from Guadeloupe to Anguilla, with isolated maximum amounts of 8 inches. Jose is also expected to produce total rain accumulations of 1 to 3 inches over the Virgin Islands and Dominica. This rainfall will maintain any ongoing flooding and may cause additional life-threatening flooding.

STORM SURGE: A dangerous storm surge will raise water levels by 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels along the immediate coast in the hurricane warning areas. Near the coast,the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.

SURF: Swells generated by Jose are affecting portions of the Leeward Islands. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.